Ōpōtiki College

The Landscape Design for the redevelopment of Ōpōtiki College complements the architectural upgrade to embrace local cultural values and narratives specific to the kura, mana whenua, and the wider catchment of Te Whakatōhea. Our response captures four distinct outdoor learning catchments held together by key buffer zones, but united to allow students to ngākau titikaha.

The College’s outdoor learning spaces contain key linear traces conceptually linking to the Wāhi Taonga. Paving movements subtly acknowledge the north-east site of Te Rangi east of Ōpape, where Nukutere made landfall, north-east towards Tirohanga and east towards Otara, Waiaua and Mākeo.

Further westward movements to the north-west and west towards to Paerāta, Whakatāne, Waiōeka, Waiotahe and Te Moana-a-Tairongo are also referenced. These traces connect students to their whakapapa within the College, wider community, and whenua.